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色厲內荏. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
色厲內荏, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
色厲內荏 in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
色厲內荏 you have here. The definition of the word
色厲內荏 will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
色厲內荏, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
Chinese
Etymology
From the Analects, Book 17 (《論語·陽貨》):
子曰：「色厲而內荏，譬諸小人，其猶穿窬之盜也與？」 [Classical Chinese, trad.]
子曰：「色厉而内荏，譬诸小人，其犹穿窬之盗也与？」 [Classical Chinese, simp.]- From: The Analects of Confucius, c. 475 – 221 BCE, translated based on James Legge's version
- Zǐyuē: “Sè lì ér nèi rěn, pì zhū xiǎorén, qí yóu chuān yú zhī dào yě yú?”
- The Master said, "He who puts on an appearance of stern firmness, while inwardly he is weak, is like one of the small, mean people - yea, is he not like the thief who breaks through, or climbs over, a wall?"
Pronunciation
Idiom
色厲內荏
- to appear tough on the outside but be weak and timid on the inside